Effects of Face-to-Face Versus Telerehabilitation-Based Circuit Training in People With Multiple Sclerosis

NCT07770620 | Not Yet Recruiting

• 1 other identifier: iuc-telerehab-circuittraining
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 36
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

This randomized controlled study was planned to compare the effects of delivering the same exercise content face-to-face and through telerehabilitation in individuals diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. All participants will receive circuit training for 8 weeks. The program will consist of two sessions per week, each lasting approximately 60 minutes. Assessments will be performed before and after treatment. Participants will be divided into two groups according to the mode of delivery: face-to-face and telerehabilitation. Telerehabilitation sessions will be conducted synchronously (via live connection) twice a week. The study population will consist of adults aged 18-65 years with a diagnosis of MS who attend Istanbul University-Cerrahpaşa Hospital. Individuals who meet the eligibility criteria will be included in the study on a voluntary basis after being informed about the study. Participants will be allocated to the groups using stratified randomization based on EDSS scores. The circuit training program will consist of endurance-, resistance-, and balance-focused exercise components. The effects of the interventions will be evaluated in terms of walking endurance and speed, functional mobility, dynamic balance, lower-extremity functional muscle strength, perceived walking ability, fatigue, quality of life, and the physical and psychological impact of MS. All assessments will be performed before the intervention and at the end of the 8-week program.

Conditions

Multiple Sclerosis

Keywords

multiple sclerosis; circuit training; telerehabilitation; rehabilitation; technology; Physiotherapy

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Walking Endurance: 6-Minute Walk Test (6MWT)

  Walking endurance will be assessed using the 6-Minute Walk Test. During the test, participants will be instructed to walk as far as possible for 6 minutes along a predefined, level course. At the end of the test, the total distance covered will be recorded in meters, and this value will reflect the individual's functional walking capacity and endurance. Any assistive device used by the participant, the need for rest, and the development of symptoms during the test will also be recorded.

  Baseline and post-intervention at Week 8

Secondary Outcomes (8)

• Walking Speed: Timed 25-Foot Walk Test (T25FW)

  Baseline and post-intervention at Week 8

• Functional Mobility: Timed Up and Go Test (TUG)

  Baseline and post-intervention at Week 8

• Dynamic Balance: Mini-Balance Evaluation Systems Test (Mini-BESTest)

  Baseline and post-intervention at Week 8

• Lower-Extremity Functional Muscle Strength: Five Times Sit-to-Stand Test (5xSTS)

  Baseline and post-intervention at Week 8

• Patient-Perceived Impact on Walking Ability: Multiple Sclerosis Walking Scale-12 (MSWS-12)

  Baseline and post-intervention at Week 8

Study Arms (2)

Face-to-Face

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants in this group will receive an 8-week circuit training program delivered face-to-face in a clinical setting. The program will be conducted twice a week, with each session lasting approximately 60 minutes, and will include endurance, resistance, and balance exercises.

Behavioral: Face-to-Face Circuit Training

Telerehabilitation-Based

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants in this group will receive the same 8-week circuit training program through synchronous telerehabilitation. The program will be conducted twice a week through live online sessions, with each session lasting approximately 60 minutes, and will include endurance, resistance, and balance exercises.

Behavioral: Synchronous Telerehabilitation-Based Circuit Training

Interventions

Face-to-Face Circuit Training BEHAVIORAL

Participants will receive an 8-week circuit training program delivered face-to-face in a clinical setting. The program will be conducted twice a week, with each session lasting approximately 60 minutes. The circuit training program will include endurance, resistance, and balance exercises. Each exercise station will consist of 3 minutes of exercise followed by 2 minutes of rest. Participants will complete two circuits, with a 10-minute rest period between circuits.

Face-to-Face

Synchronous Telerehabilitation-Based Circuit Training BEHAVIORAL

Participants will receive the same 8-week circuit training program through synchronous telerehabilitation. The program will be conducted twice a week through live online sessions, with each session lasting approximately 60 minutes. The circuit training program will include endurance, resistance, and balance exercises. Each exercise station will consist of 3 minutes of exercise followed by 2 minutes of rest. Participants will complete two circuits, with a 10-minute rest period between circuits.

Telerehabilitation-Based

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 65 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• Diagnosis of multiple sclerosis Age between 18 and 65 years Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) score between 2.0 and 5.5 Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) score greater than 24 No relapse within the past 3 months Ability to walk at least 100 meters with or without an assistive device Willingness to participate in the study and provision of written informed consent

You may not qualify if:

• Botulinum toxin treatment for spasticity or a surgical procedure within the past 6 months Participation in a regular physiotherapy or rehabilitation program within the past 3 months Presence of a secondary neurological, orthopedic, or systemic disease that prevents independent standing and walking Presence of severe peripheral vestibular dysfunction Presence of a medical condition that may prevent participation in exercise Failure to provide written informed consent

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Istanbul University - Cerrahpasa: lead

Study Sites (1)

Bakırköy Prof. Dr. Mazhar Osman Mental Health and Neurological Diseases Training and Research Hospital

Istanbul, Istanbul, 34147, Turkey (Türkiye)

Location

Related Publications (17)

• Chisari C, Venturi M, Bertolucci F, Fanciullacci C, Rossi B. Benefits of an intensive task-oriented circuit training in Multiple Sclerosis patients with mild disability. NeuroRehabilitation. 2014;35(3):509-18. doi: 10.3233/NRE-141144.

  PMID: 25248447 RESULT

• Lehmann I, Thaler I, Luder G, Damm U, Walti C, Steinheimer S, Verra ML, Muri RM, Nyffeler T, Vanbellingen T, Kamm CP. Standardized, comprehensive, hospital-based circuit training in people with multiple sclerosis: results on feasibility, adherence and satisfaction of the training intervention. Eur J Phys Rehabil Med. 2020 Jun;56(3):279-285. doi: 10.23736/S1973-9087.20.06191-2. Epub 2020 Mar 30.

  PMID: 32225136 RESULT

• Ozden F, Ozkeskin M, Yuceyar N. The reliability and validity of the Turkish version of the multiple sclerosis impact scale-29. Turk J Med Sci. 2022 Aug;52(4):1216-1222. doi: 10.55730/1300-0144.5426. Epub 2022 Aug 10.

  PMID: 36326386 RESULT

• Simeoni M, Auquier P, Fernandez O, Flachenecker P, Stecchi S, Constantinescu C, Idiman E, Boyko A, Beiske A, Vollmer T, Triantafyllou N, O'Connor P, Barak Y, Biermann L, Cristiano E, Atweh S, Patrick D, Robitail S, Ammoury N, Beresniak A, Pelletier J; MusiQol study group. Validation of the Multiple Sclerosis International Quality of Life questionnaire. Mult Scler. 2008 Mar;14(2):219-30. doi: 10.1177/1352458507080733. Epub 2007 Oct 17.

  PMID: 17942521 RESULT

• Armutlu K, Keser I, Korkmaz N, Akbiyik DI, Sumbuloglu V, Guney Z, Karabudak R. Psychometric study of Turkish version of Fatigue Impact Scale in multiple sclerosis patients. J Neurol Sci. 2007 Apr 15;255(1-2):64-8. doi: 10.1016/j.jns.2007.01.073. Epub 2007 Mar 6.

  PMID: 17337007 RESULT

• Dib H, Tamam Y, Terzi M, Hobart J. Testing patient-reported outcome measurement equivalence in multinational clinical trials: An exemplar using the 12-item Multiple Sclerosis Walking Scale. Mult Scler J Exp Transl Clin. 2017 Sep 1;3(3):2055217317728740. doi: 10.1177/2055217317728740. eCollection 2017 Jul-Sep.

  PMID: 28975038 RESULT

• Moller AB, Bibby BM, Skjerbaek AG, Jensen E, Sorensen H, Stenager E, Dalgas U. Validity and variability of the 5-repetition sit-to-stand test in patients with multiple sclerosis. Disabil Rehabil. 2012;34(26):2251-8. doi: 10.3109/09638288.2012.683479. Epub 2012 May 22.

  PMID: 22612360 RESULT

• Dogruoz Karatekin B, Icagasioglu A, Pasin O. Validity, reliability and minimal detectable change of Mini-BESTest Turkish version in neurological disorders. Acta Neurol Belg. 2023 Aug;123(4):1519-1525. doi: 10.1007/s13760-023-02299-7. Epub 2023 Jun 16.

  PMID: 37326807 RESULT

• Sebastiao E, Sandroff BM, Learmonth YC, Motl RW. Validity of the Timed Up and Go Test as a Measure of Functional Mobility in Persons With Multiple Sclerosis. Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 2016 Jul;97(7):1072-7. doi: 10.1016/j.apmr.2015.12.031. Epub 2016 Mar 2.

  PMID: 26944709 RESULT

• Motl RW, Cohen JA, Benedict R, Phillips G, LaRocca N, Hudson LD, Rudick R; Multiple Sclerosis Outcome Assessments Consortium. Validity of the timed 25-foot walk as an ambulatory performance outcome measure for multiple sclerosis. Mult Scler. 2017 Apr;23(5):704-710. doi: 10.1177/1352458517690823. Epub 2017 Feb 16.

  PMID: 28206828 RESULT

• Wetzel JL, Fry DK, Pfalzer LA. Six-minute walk test for persons with mild or moderate disability from multiple sclerosis: performance and explanatory factors. Physiother Can. 2011 Spring;63(2):166-80. doi: 10.3138/ptc.2009-62. Epub 2011 Apr 13.

  PMID: 22379256 RESULT

• Cardini R, Corrini C, Bertoni R, Anastasi D, Cattaneo D, Gervasoni E. Exploring the effectiveness of circuit training rehabilitation on balance, gait, and fatigue in multiple sclerosis: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Physiotherapy. 2024 Dec;125:101413. doi: 10.1016/j.physio.2024.101413. Epub 2024 Jul 20.

  PMID: 39357272 RESULT

• Dogan M, Ayvat E, Kilinc M. Telerehabilitation versus virtual reality supported task-oriented circuit therapy on upper limbs and trunk functions in patients with multiple sclerosis: A randomized controlled study. Mult Scler Relat Disord. 2023 Mar;71:104558. doi: 10.1016/j.msard.2023.104558. Epub 2023 Feb 11.

  PMID: 36812718 RESULT

• Straudi S, De Marco G, Martinuzzi C, Baroni A, Lamberti N, Brondi L, Da Roit M, Pizzongolo LDM, Basaglia N, Manfredini F. Combining a supervised and home-based task-oriented circuit training improves walking endurance in patients with multiple sclerosis. The MS_TOCT randomized-controlled trial. Mult Scler Relat Disord. 2022 Apr;60:103721. doi: 10.1016/j.msard.2022.103721. Epub 2022 Mar 5.

  PMID: 35276451 RESULT

• Haki M, Al-Biati HA, Al-Tameemi ZS, Ali IS, Al-Hussaniy HA. Review of multiple sclerosis: Epidemiology, etiology, pathophysiology, and treatment. Medicine (Baltimore). 2024 Feb 23;103(8):e37297. doi: 10.1097/MD.0000000000037297.

  PMID: 38394496 RESULT

• Vanbellingen T, Kamm CP. Neurorehabilitation Topics in Patients with Multiple Sclerosis: From Outcome Measurements to Rehabilitation Interventions. Semin Neurol. 2016 Apr;36(2):196-202. doi: 10.1055/s-0036-1579694. Epub 2016 Apr 26.

  PMID: 27116726 RESULT

• Bjartmar C, Trapp BD. Axonal and neuronal degeneration in multiple sclerosis: mechanisms and functional consequences. Curr Opin Neurol. 2001 Jun;14(3):271-8. doi: 10.1097/00019052-200106000-00003.

  PMID: 11371748 RESULT

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Multiple Sclerosis

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Demyelinating Autoimmune Diseases, CNS; Autoimmune Diseases of the Nervous System; Nervous System Diseases; Demyelinating Diseases; Autoimmune Diseases; Immune System Diseases

Central Study Contacts

Yonca Zenginler Yazgan, PhD

CONTACT

+905326006294; y.zenginleryazgan@iuc.edu.tr

Adennur Tayboğa, BSc

CONTACT

+905369651764; adennurtayboga@gmail.com

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: NONE
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Research Assistant

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: August 14, 2026
• First Posted: August 18, 2026
• Study Start: September 14, 2026
• Primary Completion (Estimated): December 31, 2026
• Study Completion (Estimated): February 15, 2027
• Last Updated: August 18, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-08

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

TU (1)